U.S. patent number 5,524,310 [Application Number 08/433,972] was granted by the patent office on 1996-06-11 for modular halfpipe skateboard ramp and method of constructing.
Invention is credited to Mark Farnen.
United States Patent |
5,524,310 |
Farnen |
June 11, 1996 |
Modular halfpipe skateboard ramp and method of constructing
Abstract
A portable halfpipe and method for quickly constructing the same
is disclosed. The portable halfpipe includes a left arcuate module,
a right arcuate module, and preferably, an intermediate planar
module therebetween. Quick release connectors are used between the
modules to allow the modules to be quickly connected and
disconnected. Ideally, the quick release connector is a rotolock
which includes a male portion having a rotatably mounted hook
therein and a receiving post mounted in a cooperating female
portion. The male and female portions are affixed in modules to be
joined together. The engagement of the hook with the receiving post
causes the modules to abut and clamp together. The method includes
abutting modules together and rotating hooks to grasp receiving
members thereby clamping the modules together.
Inventors: |
Farnen; Mark (Grosse Pointe
Farms, MI) |
Family
ID: |
23722303 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/433,972 |
Filed: |
May 4, 1995 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
14/69.5; 404/1;
472/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C
19/10 (20130101); E01C 13/003 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63C
19/00 (20060101); A63C 19/10 (20060101); E01C
13/00 (20060101); A47L 015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;404/1 ;52/282.2
;472/25,37,38,40,41,89 ;14/69.5,71.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Advertisement of "The Ultimate Sports Bar & Grill" featuring
modular halfpipe (Jan. 12, 1984)..
|
Primary Examiner: Britts; Ramon S.
Assistant Examiner: O'Connor; Pamela A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brooks & Kushman
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable halfpipe for use by skaters, the halfpipe
comprising:
a left arcuate module including a first support structure and a
first arcuate track assembly having a first smooth skating portion
thereon;
a right arcuate module including a second support structure and a
second arcuate track assembly having a second smooth skating
portion thereon; and
a releasable securing device having a hook member and a receiving
member, the hook member engaging the receiving member to assist in
clampingly securing the halfpipe together to form a smooth skating
surface.
2. The portable halfpipe of claim 1 wherein:
the releasable securing device is a rotolock.
3. The portable halfpipe of claim 1 further comprising:
a planar module disposed between the left and right arcuate
modules, the planar module including a support structure and a
track assembly having a smooth planar skating portion, the skating
portions of the left, right and planar modules cooperating to form
a smooth skating surface aligned in a longitudinal plane.
4. The portable halfpipe of claim 3 comprising:
a plurality of right half arcuate modules, a plurality of left half
arcuate modules, and a plurality of planar modules;
wherein respective left half modules, right half modules and planar
modules are arranged along respective laterally extending columns
and longitudinally extending rows, each row including a right half
arcuate module, a left half arcuate module and a planar module
disposed therebetween.
5. The portable halfpipe of claim 1 wherein:
skating portions are permanently affixed to the support
structure.
6. The portable halfpipe of claim 5 wherein:
the skating portions are screwed to the support structures.
7. The portable halfpipe of claim 3 wherein:
the releasable securing device is a rotolock.
8. The portable halfpipe of claim 7 wherein:
the planar portion has four male portions and four female
portions;
at least one of the arcuate modules have a rotatable hook member
thereon and the other of the arcuate modules having a receiving
member;
wherein the hook member and receiving member are cooperable engaged
pulling the first and second skating surfaces into engagement with
one another.
9. A portable halfpipe for skating exhibitions comprising:
a plurality of modules which are releasable connectable together in
a matrix configuration of n.times.m in size, wherein n corresponds
to at least two longitudinally extending rows and m corresponds at
least two laterally extending columns of modules to produce an
arcuate skating surface;
the plurality of modules including at least a pair of left half
segments aligned laterally in columns and in abutting relationship
with one another and at least a pair of right half segments aligned
laterally in columns and in abutting relationship with one another,
the at least a pair of left half modules disposed longitudinally
with respect to the at least a pair of right half modules to form
the plurality of rows;
each of the at least a pair of left and right half modules having
an arcuate surface and a supporting structure therebeneath
supporting the respective arcuate surface;
releasable connections to connect the rows and columns of modules
together, the connections including at least one hook member and
one receiving member which cooperate to clamp modules together;
wherein when the plurality of modules are connected together in the
matrix configuration, the modules form a smooth skating
surface.
10. The portable halfpipe of claim 9 wherein:
the modules are connectable together forming a 4.times.3 matrix
having four rows and three columns, each row having a left arcuate
module, a planar module, and right module.
11. The portable halfpipe of claim 9 wherein:
at least one row of modules includes a generally planar surface
which is disposed between the left and right half arcuate
modules.
12. The skating ramp of claim 9 wherein:
the connecting means includes a rotolock.
13. A method for constructing a halfpipe comprising:
providing a left half arcuate module;
providing a right half arcuate module;
aligning the left and right half arcuate module along a
longitudinal plane; and
connecting the modules relative to one another using a non-threaded
locking mechanism to form a smooth continuous skating surface.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
providing a planar module; and
positioning the planar module between the left and right half
modules; and
connecting the arcuate modules to the planar module to form the
smooth continuous skating surface.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein:
rotolocks are used as the locking mechanisms to connect the modules
together.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to portable halfpipes for use in skating
exhibitions and entertainment.
BACKGROUND
Exhibitions of skating skill, whether it be using skateboards,
conventional roller skates with four wheels, or in-line skates, are
quite popular. Also, BMX cycling exhibitions are performed on
halfpipes. One way in which this skill can be displayed and
practiced is using a halfpipe. A halfpipe includes a generally
semi-cylindrical or arcuate surface which resembles half of a pipe
cut horizontally along its longitudinal axis. These halfpipes are
often quite large to allow skaters to build up speed and to provide
room in which to perform tricks or feats of skill. Also, it is
desirable that a number of skaters can use the halfpipe at the same
time.
However, the large size of halfpipes can be problematic. Portable
halfpipes can be too large to placed in many venues. An example is
a gymnasium which is ideally suited to seat many observers. The
largest access opening to many gymnasiums includes double doors
which may be approximately 7-8 feet high and 6-8 feet wide.
Accordingly, many portable halfpipes cannot be placed through such
a doorway opening.
Another problem conventional halfpipes have is they take a long
time to assemble and disassemble. Often portable halfpipes are
constructed at the performance site. Typically, a number of skating
surfaces are attached on-site to a supporting structure using a
large number of threaded fasteners thus taking a significant amount
of time to construct the halfpipe.
Assembly time can be critical. For example, a halfpipe skating
exhibition can be offered as entertainment in conjunction with
other acts performing on a stage during a show. The changing of the
stage for various acts necessitates rapid assembly, disassembly and
movement of the halfpipe.
A further problem exits where bolted connections are made through
wood, masonite or the like and are repeated, assembled and
dissembled. The softer wood or masonite surfaces tend to wear out
due to the repeated assembly and disassembly.
The present invention is intended to overcome the above cited
shortcomings of conventional portable halfpipes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A portable halfpipe for use by skaters and method for constructing
the same is disclosed. The halfpipe comprises a left arcuate
module, a right arcuate module and a releasable securing device.
The left arcuate module includes a first support structure and a
first arcuate track assembly having a first smooth skating portion
thereon. The right arcuate module includes a second support
structure and a second arcuate track assembly having a second
smooth skating portion thereon. A releasable securing device
preferably has a hook member and a receiving member. The hook
member engages the receiving member to assist in clampingly
securing the halfpipe together to form a smooth skating surface.
Also, other laterally spaced arcuate modules can be used to widen
the halfpiece. Similarly, intermediate planar modules can be
installed between left and right arcuate modules to lengthen the
module with the skating surface including a planar skating
portion.
The method comprises constructing a halfpipe by providing a left
half arcuate module and a right half arcuate module. The left and
right half arcuate modules are aligned along a longitudinal axis.
The modules are then connected relative to one another using a
locking mechanism preferably having a hook member and receiving
member to form a smooth continuous skating surface.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable
modular halfpipe which can be quickly assembled and
disassembled.
Another object is to provide modules which are quickly connected
together using rotolocks to construct a halfpipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent from the following
description, pending claims, and accompanying sheets of drawings
where:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable halfpipe made in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the halfpipe of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the halfpipe;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the encircled area of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a platform upon which
skaters can stand;
FIG. 6 is a top view of a first embodiment of the halfpipe
utilizing four longitudinally extending planar modules between
opposing arcuate modules;
FIG. 7 is a top view of a second embodiment of the halfpipe
utilizing the four planar modules between the arcuate modules but
with planar modules extending laterally;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view from an arcuate module
showing the layers of a track assembly;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an arcuate module being maneuvered
through a doorway;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top view, partially cutaway, of a rotolock
connecting a pair of modules together;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the planar modules; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a connecting mechanism or rotolock
including female and male portions which are used to clamp modules
together;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another embodiment of a
halfpipe; and
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of a screw attaching to a threaded
anchor to join a seam sheet over a gap between modules.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A portable halfpipe 20, employing a plurality of modules which can
be quickly assembled and disassembled, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6.
Halfpipe 20 includes four left half arcuate modules 22a-d, four
right half modules 24a-d and four planar modules 26a-d arranged in
respective longitudinally extending rows and laterally extending
columns forming a 4.times.3 matrix. Letters a-d are used to
designate specific modules in a column. Each respective column of
four left half arcuate modules 22a-d, four right half arcuate
modules 24a-d and four planar modules 26a-d are generally identical
to other modules in that column. Left half arcuate modules 22a-d
are laterally connected to one another forming a column of modules.
Likewise, right half arcuate modules 24a-d are laterally connected
together as are intermediate modules 26a-d. Further, the row of
modules formed by modules 22a , 24a and 26a are longitudinally
connected. Similarly, longitudinally aligned rows of modules 22b-d,
24b-d and 26-b are respectively longitudinally connected. Together,
the twelve modules 22a-d, 24a-d and 26a-d form a smooth skating
surface 30 when fastened together.
As stated previously, each of the left half arcuate modules 22a-d
are preferably identical to one another. Each of right half arcuate
modules 24a-d are also preferably identical to one another and are
generally mirror images of left half arcuate modules 22a-d.
Therefore, with respect to the arcuate modules, only left half
arcuate module 22d will now be described in greater detail.
Referring now to FIG. 2, module 22d includes a pair of laterally
spaced apart support frames 31, one of which can be seen in side
view and the other hidden behind the first frame in side view. Each
frame 31d includes a base beam 32d and a backing beam 34d which
cooperate to form an L-shape. Connecting inboard between each base
beam 32d and backing beam 34d is a support truss structure 36d,
constructed generally as shown. Located outboard or rearwardly of
each backing portion 34d are vertically spaced beams 39d and an
inclined beam 40d which cooperate with backing beam 34d to form a
triangular-shaped support structure. Preferably, the aforementioned
beams are made are wood. Atop support structure 40d is a platform
42d which extends laterally between the upper ends of the frames
31d. Platform 42d provides a surface upon which skaters can stand
and rest when not skating on halfpipe 20.
A laterally extending arcuate track assembly 44d extends between
platform 42d and an adjacent planar module 26d. Arcuate track
assembly 44d is supported at its upper end by backing beams 34d, at
its mid-arc by support truss structure 36d, and at its bottom by
base beam 32d. Pairs of plywood support panels 48d and 49d (FIG. 2)
are cut to size to fill in regions between track assembly 44d and
respective backing beams 34d, truss structures 36d and base beams
32d on each of the frames 31.
Referring now to FIG. 3, module 22d has a number of laterally
extending beams including diagonal beams 46d which extend between
inclined beams 40d. Cross-beams 50d are used at several locations
to connect between frames 31d. A pair of laterally spaced wheels
52d are attached to a wheel beam 53d extending between inclined
beams 40d approximately 6 inches up from base beam 32d. Wheels 52d
facilitate the rolling of module 22d as will be further explained
below.
Looking again to FIG. 2, module 22d includes a fence portion 54d
which prevents skaters from falling backwards off of platform 42d.
Fence portion 54d includes laterally spaced pairs of horizontal
beams 56d and vertical beams 60d, only one of each pair can be seen
in side view. Horizontal beams 56d attach pivotally at one end to
backing beam 34d and are releasably secured by pins at their other
ends to the lower ends of respective vertical beams 60d. The upper
ends of vertical beams 60d preferably extends approximately 31/2
feet above platform 42d. Platform 42d is ideally at a height of
approximately 11 feet above a floor surface. Vertical beams 60d are
pivotally attached to platform 42d to receive support therefrom. If
the ends of beams 60d and 56d are released from one another, these
beams can then be pivoted adjacent inclined beams 40d allowing
module 22d to roll on wheels 52d. A pair of rubber bumpers 64d are
attached atop platform 42d to provide stops for skaters.
Alternatively, fence portion 54d can be secured to frames 31 after
the rest of the module 22d is in place. A laterally extending
backing portion 68d connects between vertical beams 54d.
FIG. 8 illustrates a typical cross-section of arcuate track
assembly 44d. Track assembly 44d includes circumferentially spaced
and laterally extending support beams 70d. Support beams 70d, in
turn, are secured to frames 31d. Attached to support beams 70d are
two overlying 3/8" thick plywood sheets 72d and 74d. The thinness
of the plywood sheets allows the sheets to readily conform to the
necessary arcuate shape while the two thicknesses of sheets provide
adequate structural support. Screws are used to semi-permanently
attach the sheets 72d and 74d to support beams 70d. Overlying
plywood sheet 74d is a sheet of masonite 76d which provides a
smooth hard surface for skating, which is preferably 1/8" thick.
Screws 80d are used to periodically affix sheet 76d to plywood
sheets 72d and 74d. Note that the heads of screws 80d should be
flush or below the surface of the sheet 76d. Although arcuate
modules 22a-d and 24 a-d are generally identical, it is preferred
that sheets 72, 74 and 76 of the differing arcuate modules 22a-d
have laterally extending edges which are circumferentially offset
from one another so that a continuous lateral seam is not formed
when the modules 22a-d are laterally joined. FIG. 1 illustrates the
staggering of sheets 76a-d.
Laterally affixing the columns of modules 22a-d and 24a-d together
are arcuately spaced threaded fasteners or bolts 82 which pass
through circumferentially spaced apertures 84, 86 and 88 located in
each of the frames 31. The bolts 82 are shown in hidden line in
FIG.1. Each of apertures 84, 86 and 88 preferably has a metal
collar insert (not shown) to provide a strong bearing surface to
apertures 84, 86 and 88. Bolts 82 are located a substantial
vertical distance above the base of the modules 22a-d. Apertures
84, 86 and 88 are readily accessible from the rear of the arcuate
modules 22a-d so that the bolts 82 can be quickly installed between
arcuate modules to laterally clamp the modules 22a-d and track
assemblies 44a-d together. Modules 24a-d are similarly laterally
joined together by bolted connections.
FIG. 11 shows an exemplary planar module 26d which is typical of
the other planar modules 26a-c. Planar module 26d includes a pair
of longitudinally extending beams 90 and a pair of transversely
extending beams 92 forming a rectangular frame. Mounted atop this
frame is a track assembly 94 which is of the same generally layered
configuration as track assembly 44d shown in FIG. 9 with exception
the that track surface is planar rather than arcuate. Again, a pair
of plywood sheets (not shown) support an overlying masonite sheet
96. The overall width and length of module 26d in this exemplary
embodiment is 4'.times.8'. Accordingly, the arcuate modules 22a-d
and 24a-d are also 4' wide.
Bolting modules 22a-d, 24a-d and 26a-d together near a floor
surface can be difficult due to space constraints. Accordingly,
locking devices 100 which are readily accessible to lock and unlock
modules together from the skating surface 30 are used. In this
preferred embodiment rotolocks are used in modules 22a-d, 24a-d and
26a-d to quickly secure these components together near the base of
halfpipe 20. The locations of these rotolocks is schematically
shown in FIG. 7. It is within the scope of this invention to use
other fastening devices which do away with the need to use threaded
fasteners to connect the modules together.
Rotolocks 100 are installed in horizontally extending grooves cut
into the modules 22a-d, 24a-d and 26a-d. In this preferred
embodiment, rotolocks are male and female models SS-2-71-0074-08
and SS-2-71-0079-08 commercially available from Austin Hardware,
Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn.
An exemplary rotolock 100 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. Rotolock 100
includes a male portion 102 and a female portion 104. Male portion
102 has a housing 103 with a rotatable hook 106 mounted on a hex
head screw and bearing 108. Housing 103 has a pair of plates 110
and 112 which sandwich about rotatable hook 106. Hook 106 swings in
a plane between plates 110 and 112. Female portion 104 has a
housing 114 with a pair of spaced apart plates 116 and 117 and a
post 118 extending therebetween. Housings 103 and 114 have
respective retaining apertures 119 and 120 formed therein for
receiving bolts 131 and 132 to affix to respective modules.
Grooves are cut into each of the module 22a-d, 24a-d and 26a-d. As
seen in FIG. 6, planar modules 26a-d have a total of four male
portions 102 and four female portions 104. Each of the arcuate
modules 22a-d and 24a-d have two male portions 102 and two female
portions 104. Bolts 131 and 132 inserted through retaining
apertures 119 and 120 hold the male and female portions 102 and 104
in place in the respective modules. Backing planks 134 are located
behind each of the rotolocks to provide a structural member to
which the male and female portions 102 and 104 can be bolted.
During assembly modules 22a-d, 24a-d, and 26a -d are individually
moved. Modules are then be placed into abutting relationship as
seen in FIG. 6. Hooks 106 are originally in a retracted position,
as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 10. A hex wrench is then used to
rotate hooks 106 into extended engagement with posts 118. When
rotated into the extended position, hook 104 grasps and pulls post
120 and female portion 104 toward male portion 102. Accordingly,
mating modules are tightly clamped together forming a portion of
smooth skating surface 30. Because hex heads 108 are readily
accessible from skating surface 30, the module of halfpipe 20 can
be quickly assembled providing a smooth skating surface 30.
Similarly, disassembly can be rapidly effected as well.
FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a halfpipe 20'. In this
instance the elongate planar modules 26a-d'extend laterally rather
than longitudinally. The overall longitudinal width of halfpipe 20'
is the same as with halfpipe 20 of FIG. 7, i.e. 8 feet in this
exemplary halfpipe.
By adding or subtracting a column of planar modules 26a-d', the
overall width of halfpipe 20' can be changed in increments of the
width of planar modules 26a-d'rather than only their length.
Similarly, an column of planar modules could inserted in the
configuration of FIG. 7 to longitudinally lengthen halfpipe 20 an
additional 8 feet. By adding two planar modules which extend
laterally, the additional longitudinally length could be increased
by 4' increments. The lateral width of the halfpipe can be altered
by simply adding or subtracting the number of rows as desired. Also
it is possible to use a combination of four longitudinally
extending modules along with two laterally extending planar modules
to provide a 12' long planar surface between arcuate modules.
Another, convenient aspect of the present invention is that
halfpipe 20 can readily be constructed in arenas having doorways of
limited size. This is accomplished by pivoting an arcuate module on
its respective pair of wheels 52 to pass through a doorway which
has a height which is much less than that of the erect halfpipe 20.
For example, with the halfpipe 20 having arcuate modules having a
platform height of approximately 11', a doorway having a height of
only 8' can be passed through. The preferred width of the modules
is 4'. Therefore, width is not normally a limiting constraint in
passing through doorways, at least doorways having double
doors.
If the longitudinally extending sides of the modules are not
perfectly mounted, or else, the modules are not placed on flat
surfaces, gaps can exist between the longitudinally extending sides
of abutting columns of modules. FIG. 13 shows a solution to the gap
problem. Portions of alternate track assemblies 150 are shown in
FIG. 13 which can be mounted on the support structure of the
modules. In this embodiment, support beams 152 are used to mount a
pair of overlying plywood sheets 154 and 156 in a manner similar to
support beams 70d described in the first embodiment. Masonite or
other materials suitable for producing a smooth skating surface
such as metal sheet, is mounted atop plywood sheets 154 and 156.
However, in this embodiment, masonite sheet 160 is set back
laterally from the opposing edges of the plywood sheets 154 and
156. For example, the set back may be 4" wide on each track
assembly 150. A seam sheet 162, slightly less than 8" wide, is then
used to fill in the area between the longitudinally extending edges
of masonite sheets 160. This provides a cover to the gap .delta.
found between the plywood sheets 154 and 156 on abutting modules.
Screws 164 are used to fasten the masonite sheet 160 to the plywood
sheets 154 and 156. A metal threaded anchor 166, such as a T-nut,
may be placed into the plywood sheets 154 and 156 to reduce the
chances of internal threads stripping out of the anchor 166 during
repeated assembly and disassembly of seam sheet 162 to the
modules.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been
described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and
many details have been set forth for the purpose of illustration,
it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention
is susceptible to alteration and that certain other details
described herein can vary considerably without departing from the
basic principles of the invention.
For example, to decrease weight, aluminum components could be used
rather than wood. Also, indicated above, other readily accessible
fastening devices could be used in place of the rotolock to effect
the quick assembly and disassembly of the individuals modules
without using threaded fasteners. It is also envisioned that
virtually all of the threaded fasteners could be eliminated which
hold frames 31 together using other fastening devices such as over
center latching devices such as come-a-longs. Further, it is also
possible to eliminate the use of the planar modules if there are
longitudinal space constraints, thereby producing a halfpipe with
only arcuate modules.
* * * * *